Another Roundup

The Robocalls saga limps on

"Hamilton [Ed. Conservative Party Lawyer] said it speaks volumes that no Canadian voters have come forward to swear out an affidavit claiming their trips to the ballot box were thwarted by robocalls.

He notes casting a ballot is a very public activity and seems unlikely that someone who was unable to vote would have kept silent.

"Nobody should have difficulty coming and very publicly saying 'I wanted to vote and I was stopped from voting,'" Hamilton said.

"Because that's the type of evidence that's being sought if somebody wants to overturn any of these six election results, it should be not at all difficult to find those people.""

[---]

""There is a fundamental disrespect right now for the intuitiveness of the Canadian voter," Hamilton said.

"The Canadian electorate is very intuitive and they are very careful. They take their franchise seriously and that is why, happily, some of these ham-fisted attempts at suppression don't work."

[---]

"Eight Canadians — bankrolled by the left-leaning Council of Canadians — have launched a legal bid to overturn the results of the last federal election in six ridings. They allege a far-reaching campaign of voter-suppression tactics may have kept some people from voting, which may have had some bearing on the outcomes.

None of the eight applicants were actually prevented from voting." [Ed. Emphasis, mine]

Not looking too good, is it Maude?

Kenney to name 'safe countries' in refugee system overhaul

I really hope this man becomes Prime Minister some day. He's doing everything I think should be done. And as usual, his lefty critics have their heads in the sand. RTWT

Pravda issues a retraction:


Russia backtracks on stance over embattled Syria

Putin must have been talking with Ahmadinejad.

Who said the Cold War was over? Did I say that??? I must issue a retraction.

More on Russia's rush backwards:

Russia opens second criminal case against opposition leader

Back to the future. Plus ca change....

Oh, Jason Kenney...

...I have you on a pedestal.

Good News

Tories plan crack down on 'bogus' refugee claims

"The Balanced Refugee Reform Act set to take effect in June doesn't go far enough, according to the Conservatives, who introduced previously rejected legislation Thursday, aimed at cracking down even further on bogus asylum claims.

The controversial measures were in large part severed from the earlier bill so that it would pass, given the Conservative government's minority status in the last Parliament, and the move to reintroduce them now that they have their coveted majority, has the Opposition fuming."

It's always a good day when the Tories have the opposition fuming. But what does the Bill do?

"Bill C-31 aims to process claims from countries deemed ``safe'' more quickly so that illegitimate refugees are removed within a shorter period of time.

On average, Kenney said it takes four-and-a-half years from the initial claim to remove a failed refugee claimant from the country.

It's expected the move will assist in dealing with a huge spike in claims by Hungary's predominantly Roma population. Last year, the number of claims from Hungary nearly doubled to 4,409. Most applicants, however, withdraw or abandoned their claims within 11 months.

The legislation also would block claimants from so called ``safe'' countries from appealing a negative decision and it would eliminate a committee of experts which was to advise the government on which countries to place on that list.

``Canada's asylum system is broken,'' Kenney said, after introducing Bill C-31 in the House of Commons on Thursday. ``Requirements are needed to ensure the quicker removal of bogus claimants.''

The omnibus bill also lumps in legislation that would grant legal authority to collect biometric data from people entering Canada on a visitor visa, work permit or study visa starting next year.

According to the legislation, law enforcement would be able to use the data in criminal investigations.

``We have seen many cases of people, criminals - foreign criminals - arrested, convicted, and deported who came back to Canada using fake papers,'' Kenney said, adding the use of biometrics would prevent failed refugee claimants from trying to return to the country.

The bill also rolls in measures contained in Bill C-4, the Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act, introduced in June."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what the opposition is fuming about.

The NDP, especially:

NDP fumes as majority Tories reintroduce sweeping reforms to immigration system

And other than the fuming in the comments, CBC's rendition is remarkably civil.

Based on information in these two articles, I would say, Bravo!! Kenney and the Tories. Too bad, so sad, leftards.

Oh, and they've noticed down under too.

About That Burka Ban

Widespread support for burka ban, Jason Kenney says; Muslims salute minister for ‘courageous’ move

"A month after Canada banned Muslim women from covering their faces during citizenship ceremonies, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says the policy has won widespread support.

Speaking at a Muslim Canadian Congress event honouring his “courageous decision,” Mr. Kenney said polling shows that eight out of 10 Canadians agreed with the decision while only 14% were opposed.

“It is only a sign of respect for your fellow citizens, when you are pledging to them your commitment to live in a community with them, to show your face and who you are and that your pledge is heartfelt and authentic,” he said."

[---]

"“The niqab or burka is a political tool by Islamists who wish to segregate Muslims into religious ghettos, cut off from mainstream society,” said Farzana Hassan of the Muslim Canadian Congress. “Islamists consider women who do not cover their heads and faces, which constitutes the vast majority, as sinners and lesser Muslims.”"

Now, Liberals and other sore losers will say; "Ya, but what do you expect him to say".

And speaking of sore loser liberals, here's an interesting article from Macleans.


The Liberals await heaven’s command

"It was like spending a frigid weekend huddled around the world’s biggest samovar, with 3,200-plus joyful Liberals, not one of them fitting my expectation that they had shifted categories from walking wounded to being the walking dead. Their joy is that, whatever else they might do in a future that remains a distant and ill-defined option, at least they can pretend that dreams still count. That even if the Earth moved last May 2, and left the one-time power barons barren of power, they exist, awaiting heaven’s command.

Assembled, they project the distinct impression that while they are in third—which is like having a one-way ticket to purgatory—they should still be heard. No longer members of Canada’s natural governing party, they are losers searching for a mission. Slip-sliding away, like drunks convinced they are holding up the lampposts. The Grits have yet to earn another chance to head an effective opposition. Beyond that, they can’t count on Bob Rae being the dream candidate who could lead them back to the Treasury benches. He has enough political baggage to fill an airport carousel. For some inexplicable reason, he reminds me of Sir John A. Macdonald’s line, “I do not say that all Grits are horse thieves. But I feel quite sure that all horse thieves are Grits.”"

RTWT